“Because I did not have to deal with the death penalty the offender was sentenced closer to the time of the crime. Then I began to deal with my loss because there were no longer court distractions and it still took me several years to recover to a new normal.” Wilma Loganbill, whose son was murdered in 1999, in support of repealing the Kansas death penalty. … [Read more...] about HB 2282: A Mother Speaks
News
House Abolition Bill Achieves New Firsts!
House Bill 2282 was introduced on February 12th. It has 32 sponsors—the most ever for a Kansas abolition bill! There are 15 Republican sponsors and 17 Democratic sponsors. A hearing was held on February 19th in House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee. Twenty people provided written or oral testimony in support of ending the death penalty. … [Read more...] about House Abolition Bill Achieves New Firsts!
Death Penalty Abolition Legislation Introduced!
Bills to replace the Kansas death penalty have been filed in both the House and Senate. SB 21 was introduced on January 17th and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. HB 2282 was introduced on February 12th and referred to House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee. Both bills would end the death penalty for the most serious murders in Kansas … [Read more...] about Death Penalty Abolition Legislation Introduced!
Kansas’ Undesired Silver Anniversary
On July 1st, Kansas began year twenty five of the death penalty law in Kansas. July is also a month ripe with candidate campaigns——campaign events, phone calling, door knocking, mailings, and candidates present at parades and debates. KCADP has begun its formal candidate education process by reaching out to legislative candidates. We want to make sure they know: There … [Read more...] about Kansas’ Undesired Silver Anniversary
Abolition is a Non-Partisan Issue
Many Kansans used to think that a politician’s stance on abolition could be predicted by what party he or she was representing. The 2010 Senate vote showed the fallacy of that belief. Twelve Republicans and eight Democrats supported abolition, and nineteen Republicans and one Democrat opposed it. The most recent abolition bill, HB 2167, introduced in 2017, continued the … [Read more...] about Abolition is a Non-Partisan Issue
It’s "Candidate" Season!
When we look outside, we see that the seasons are changing. Trees are leafing out, spring flowers are blooming and lawns too are growing. It’s a season of political changes too. The Legislature has ended and the next season—Candidate season—is already evident too. In the elections this year Kansans will choose new statewide leaders as well as new members for the House … [Read more...] about It’s "Candidate" Season!
"What I saw set my soul on fire…"
“They killed a man with fire one night. They strapped him in a wooden chair and pumped electricity through his body until he was dead.” …I was there. I saw it with my own eyes. What I saw set my soul on fire, a fire that burns me still. And now here is an account of how I came to be and still am.” (Sr. Helen Prejean) Sr. Helen shared first hand accounts at KU on March 5th … [Read more...] about "What I saw set my soul on fire…"
‘Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues"
Sr. Helen Prejean is coming to Kansas! Monday March 5th at 7 p.m. Woodruff Auditorium in the Memorial Union on the KU Campus in Lawrence Jayhawks for Life is sponsoring this event which is free and open to the public. This is a great opportunity to hear such an inspiring speaker! … [Read more...] about ‘Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues"
Retired Kansas Secretary of Corrections Werholtz: "It’s time to end the death penalty".
Retired Kansas Secretary of Corrections, Roger Werholtz, has spoken out recently twice in support of death penalty abolition. He served as Secretary of Corrections in Kansas for 8 years, as well as interim director in the Colorado Department of Corrections in 2013. He told the October 21st Abolition Conference that there is too much misconduct and error in the system “to be … [Read more...] about Retired Kansas Secretary of Corrections Werholtz: "It’s time to end the death penalty".
McIntyre case gives reason to pause
On Oct. 13th, after proceedings in Wyandotte County District court, Lamonte McIntyre was released from custody after serving 23 years on charges of murdering two persons. The District Attorney agreed to the release calling it a case of "manifest injustice". McIntyre became the second person released in Kansas in two years due to exoneration after being convicted of first … [Read more...] about McIntyre case gives reason to pause